Community Risograph

– 2019 –

Community Riso is a project of social and cultural involvement in Montreal QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) community and its allies* with aim of introducing them attractiveness of using risograph.

During the month of March 2019, this project is the subject of a series of 4 communities of practice using a Risograph and a closing exhibition within the Techno Culture Club workshop (located at Centre du Plateau) .

What is a risograph ?

A risograph is a duplicator allowing to print series of identical documents of big volumes from an original model (otherwise called “master”) with a low environmental impact (use of a biodegradable ink, low energy consumption). It is a principle similar to that of photocopying, but using a flexible, cold offset printing process (an evolution of lithography).

A community project

Constantly on the lookout for artistic, technological and social transformations, Techno Culture Club has acquired a Risograph in order to respond to a lack of access to certain digital equipment for the communities.

Concerned with promoting social inclusion through digital technology and its actions, Techno Culture Club wishes to offer the opportunity to the QTBIPOC community to explore and develop resources around the themes of justice and digital law through the use of a risograph.

Based on the approach of Detroit’s Community Technology Project, this project aims to raise community awareness of the notions of accessibility, collective participation, collective ownership and community prosperity.

Following this acquisition, Techno Culture Club wished to open the doors of its workshop and give access to its risograph by proposing 4 sessions of community of practice:

  • March 3 to 24, 2019; every Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
  • 10 participants at a time
  • Makerspace TCC #1.120 (Centre du Plateau)

To close the project, Techno Culture Club and the participants will present the work they have done at an exhibition organized at the Centre du Plateau.

*An ally is a person who supports and is actively involved in breaking down the barriers and discrimination that some people may face. For more information, click here.

Techno Culture Club recognizes that this project, as well as other activities, are taking place on traditional Aboriginal territories in Quebec. The organization wishes to express its gratitude to Mother Earth and for the resources we use, as well as to honor the peoples of the Kanien’kehá:ka Nation, but also other First Nations — Abenaki, Anishinaabe, and Huron-Wendat — who have lived on the territory since time immemorial.

This project ifs supported by the Digital Rights Community Grant program, a partnership between Digital Justice LabTech Reset Canada et Center for Digital Rights.